Reproducing apparatus, recording apparatus and display apparatus

ABSTRACT

An authentication method for use in sending/receiving data between a coded data output apparatus for outputting coded data having a water mark, and a recording apparatus for recording data onto a recording medium, the method including: deciding a type of the recording medium used by the recording apparatus; based on a result of the deciding, selecting, from a plurality of authentication methods, an authentication method corresponding to the type of the recording medium, and conducting authentication between the coded data output apparatus and the recording apparatus, using the authentication method; sending/receiving data between the coded data output apparatus and the recording apparatus after conducting the authentication; and in a case where the coded data has the water mark, detecting the water mark by the coded data output apparatus, wherein the data exchanged between the coded data output apparatus and the recording apparatus is scrambled by a scrambling method corresponding to the type the recording medium.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/840,726, filed Jul. 21, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,071, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/968,883, filed Jan. 3, 2008(now U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,256), which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/677,359, filed Oct. 3, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No.7,379,547), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/437,232, filed May 14, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,645), which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/289,974, filed Apr. 13,1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,149). This application relates to andclaims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 10-102386, filed onApr. 14, 1998. The entirety of the contents and subject matter of all ofthe above is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing video dataand audio data, and more particularly to an apparatus for reproducingdata and the apparatus for recording data which are arranged toreproduce and/or record data from/onto a recording medium based on copymanagement information.

A DVD-ROM has about seven times as large a volume as a CD-ROM. TheDVD-RON may contain program codes for PCs as well as motion picturesoftware created by compressing video data and audio data. The DVD alsoincludes a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R, and a DVD-RW as its recording medium. Theserecording medium may record a large amount of data, which brings about apossibility of illegally copying software such as a motion picture. Thissort of illegal copy has to be prevented. Hence, a technique ofpreventing illegal copy becomes important. This technique is describedin the magazine “Nikkei Electronics” issued on Aug. 18, 1997, pages 110to 119, published by Nikkei BP publishing.

For example, the motion picture recorded on the DVD-Video disk istypically coded according to the CSS (content scrambling system). Hence,the copied data cannot be reproduced unless it is descrambled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Indeed, the above-mentioned magazine describes the reproduction of themedium where data is pre-recorded such as a DVD-video disk. However, itdoes not describe the reproduction of a recording medium where a usercan arbitrarily record data.

In the case of reproducing data scrambled according to the correspondingsystem to each recordable medium, it is necessary to take the step ofdiscriminating the corresponding recording medium to a comingreproduction signal before descrambling the reproduction signal.Further, it is also necessary to discriminate a type of data,concretely, if the data copy is allowed or prohibited, before thecontrol is executed.

In carrying out the foregoing object, according to an aspect of theinvention, an apparatus for recording and reproducing data includes aplurality of authenticating means so as to allow authentication betweenapparatuses by switching among the plurality of authenticating means incorrespondence to a type of data involved for carrying outauthentication corresponding to the kind of the data.

An apparatus for recording data includes a plurality of authenticatingmeans so as to allow authentication between apparatuses by switchingamong the plurality of authenticating means in correspondence to a typeof data involved for carrying out authentication corresponding to thetype of the data.

An apparatus for reproducing data includes a plurality of authenticatingmeans so as to allow authentication between apparatuses by switchingamong the plurality of authenticating means in correspondence to a typeof data involved for carrying out authentication corresponding to thetype of the data.

A data reproducing method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

A data recording method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

A data coding method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

An authenticating method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for reproducing datacontaining copy control information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which the apparatusfor reproducing data according to the invention is applied to a DVDdrive;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a composition of DVD sector data as an exampleof data containing codes on which a type of a recording medium and ascrambling structure of data are recorded;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a composition of identification (ID) data of aDVD;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for recording datacontaining copy control information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another apparatus for reproducing datacontaining copy control information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an arrangement in which an apparatusfor reproducing data according to the invention is applied to a DVDdrive so that the output signal is connected to a recordable device suchas a harddisk;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an arrangement in which an apparatusfor outputting data is applied to a monitor; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system provided with each deviceaccording to the present invention, such as a personal computer.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatus forreproducing data including copy controlling information according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereafter, the present invention will be described along the embodimentswith reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for reproducing data containing copy controlinformation according to an embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, a recordable and reproducible medium such as a DVD will bedescribed. It goes without saying that it is not limited to an opticaldisk but may be applied to any kind of medium that stores data.

In FIG. 1, a numeral 1 denotes a first data reproducing apparatus. Anumeral 2 denotes a first reproducing unit. A numeral 3 denotes a firstswitch. A numeral 4 denotes a first authenticating unit a. A numeral 5denotes a second authenticating unit a. A numeral 6 denotes a thirdauthenticating unit a. A numeral 7 denotes a second data reproducingapparatus. A numeral 8 denotes a first authenticating unit b. A numeral9 denotes a second authenticating unit b. A numeral 10 denotes a thirdauthenticating unit b. A numeral 11 denotes a first descrambling unit. Anumeral 12 denotes a second descrambling unit. A numeral 13 denote asecond switch. A numeral 14 denotes a WM detecting unit. A numeral 15denotes an MPEG reproducing unit. A numeral 16 denotes data input. Anumeral 17 denotes data output. A numeral 18 denotes a first data bus. Anumeral 19 denotes a first authenticating bus. A numeral 20 denotes asecond data bus. A numeral 21 denotes a second authenticating bus. Anumeral 22 denotes a third data bus. A numeral 23 denotes a thirdauthenticating bus. A numeral 124 denotes a CSS authenticating unit a. Anumeral 125 denotes a CSS data bus. A numeral 126 denotes a CSSauthenticating bus. A numeral 127 denotes a CSS authenticating unit b. Anumeral 128 denotes a CSS descrambling unit. A numeral 129 denotes afirst authenticating block. A numeral 130 denotes a secondauthenticating block.

The operation of the present system will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

The data input 16, read from a disk by means of the first datareproducing apparatus such as a DVD drive, is descrambled according tothe recorded format by the first reproducing unit 2. In thisdescrambling operation, the first reproducing unit 2 operates to read atype of data including a code for indicating a type of the recordingmedium contained in the data (for example, a code for indicating if therecording medium is dedicated to reproduction or recordable), a code forindicating whether or not the data structure is scrambled, and a codefor indicating if the data is video or audio or copy limitation (forexample, a code for indicating copy permission, one-generation copypermission, or copy prohibition). Further, for an optical disk, the typeof the recording medium may be discriminated on a tracking signal of thedisk. Based on the pieces of information read by the first reproducingunit 2, the first switch 3 is switched so as to select the correspondingauthenticating unit to the read data. The authentication is done formaking sure of a person with whom the data is communicated, and keyinformation is sent/received for descrambling purpose. Received data hasbeen scrambled by the key and the data is descrambled using the key soas to protect the data.

The first authenticating unit a operates to authenticate areproduction-dedicated recording medium. The second authenticating unita operates to authenticate a recordable recording medium with its copylimited by copy limitation information. The third authenticating unit aoperates to authenticate a recordable recording medium with no copylimitation by copy limitation information. The CSS authenticating unit a124 is an authenticating means for the DVD drive to the existing CSS(Content Scrambling System). In this embodiment, the CSS authenticatingunit a 124 is described as an independent unit. It may be combined withnew authenticating units, that is, the first, the second, and the thirdauthenticating units a as a first authenticating block 129.

The data reproducing unit 2 is assumed to be an MPEG board for decodingthe MPEG data. The first authenticating unit b is positioned incorrespondence to the first authenticating unit a. The authentication isdone by the first authenticating bus 19. If the data is not proper, thedescrambling information is not passed as well as the data is disallowedto be outputted from the first data bus 18. Likewise, the second and thethird authenticating units b have the same correspondence with thesecond and the third authenticating units a. If the data is not proper,no authentication is done and the data output is stopped. Herein, forsimplifying the description, the authenticating buses and the data busesare respective to the three authenticating units. In actual, thecombination of one authenticating bus and one data bus may be switchedto each authenticating unit. The CSS authenticating unit b 127 operatesto authenticate the MPEG board corresponding to the existing CSS. Inthis embodiment, the CSS authenticating unit b 127 is described as anindependent unit. It may be combined with the new authenticating units,that is, the first, the second and the third authenticating units b asan authenticating block b 130.

The data transmitted from the first reproducing apparatus 1 to thesecond reproducing apparatus 7 through the first data bus is scrambledfor the purpose of preventing copy of the data in transmission. The dataon the reproduction-dedicated recording medium is scrambled in adifferent manner from the data on the recording medium with copylimitation given by copy limitation information. The data on therecordable recording medium with no copy limitation given by the copylimitation information is not scrambled because the copy of the data isnot required to be prevented. Under these conditions, the firstreproducing apparatus operates to transmit the type of the recordingmedium and the scrambled data through the effect of the authenticatingunit. Herein, the data on the disk with no copy limitation is notrequired to be scrambled for preventing the copy of the data. However,if no authentication is done only for the data, it is difficult todiscriminatingly detect the disk with no copy limitation and the diskillegally copied though the copy of the disk is originally limited.Hence, the authentication is done to the disk with no copy limitation.

If the authentication is done, the scrambled data is transmitted to thesecond data reproducing apparatus 7. The data bus through which the datais transmitted is selected according to the type of the recording mediumand the scrambling structure of the data transmitted by theauthenticating unit. The first descrambling unit 11 or the seconddescrambling unit 12 according to the medium type and the scramblingstructure are operated to descramble the data. Then, the descrambleddata is sent to the MPEG reproducing unit 15 through the second switch13. The WM (Water Mark) detecting unit 14 is used for detectingadditional information buried in the data decoded by the MPEGreproducing unit 15. In this embodiment, the water mark is detected asthe additional information. If the copy control information is detected,the data output is controlled according to the copy control information.In this embodiment, the MPEG reproducing unit 15 is controlled so as tocontrol the output of the data. The control method is not limited to it.For example, the output data may be controlled to be stopped ordiscarded on the bus.

Herein, the first reproducing unit 2, the first switch 3, the firstauthenticating unit a 4, the second authenticating unit a 5, and thethird authenticating unit a 6 are incorporated on the same LSI for thepurpose of making it difficult to pick up the data on the transmittingway. The first authenticating unit b 8, the second authenticating unit b9, the third authenticating unit b 10, the first scrambling unit 11, thesecond descrambling unit 12, the second switch 13, the WM detecting unit14, and the MPEG reproducing unit 15 are incorporated on the same LSIfor the purpose of making it difficult to pick up the data on thetransmitting way.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement in which the data reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention is applied into the DVD drive. Thepresent embodiment concerns with a recordable and reproducible recordingmedium such as a DVD. It goes without saying that the recording mediumis not limited to an optical disk but may be applied to any kind ofrecordable and reproducible recording medium.

In FIG. 2, a numeral 24 denotes a DVD disk. A numeral 25 denotes a DVDdrive. A numeral 26 denotes a pick-up unit. A numeral 27 denotes apreamplifier. A numeral 28 denotes a first system control unit. Anumeral 29 denotes an MPEG reproducing board. A numeral 30 denotes asecond system control unit. A numeral 31 denotes a converter. A numeral32 denotes a monitor.

A signal read from the DVD disk 24 by the pick-up unit 26 is suppliedinto the first data reproducing apparatus 1. The first data reproducingapparatus 1 determines the operating state under the control of thefirst system control unit 28. The main operation of the DVD drive 25corresponds to the process up to this point. The signal reproduced bythe first data reproducing apparatus 1 is transmitted to the second datareproducing apparatus 7. The second data reproducing apparatus 7 isoperated to determine the operating state under the control of thesecond system control unit 30. The data reproduced by the second datareproducing apparatus 7 is converted by the converter 31 and then isoutputted into the monitor 32 on which the data is displayed. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of the MPEGreproducing board 29.

FIG. 3 shows a composition of sector data of the DVD as an example ofdata containing codes having a type of the recording medium and ascrambling structure of the data recorded therein. In the DVD, theidentification data simply called ID and the copyright managementinformation called CPR_MAI are written before the main data of 2048bytes.

The copyright management information (CPR_MAI) covers both the copyrightmanagement information and the region management information. Theread-in area describes whether or not the data contains a specific datastructure (corresponding to the scramble structure) of the copyrightprotection system and whether or not the data may be reproduced on aspecified region. The data area describes whether or not the sectorcontains a material with a copyright, whether or not the data has aspecific data structure of the copyright protection system, and whetheror not the data is copy-limited (copy permission, one-generation copypermission, and copy prohibition).

FIG. 4 shows the composition of the ID data of the DVD. The ID containsa reproduction-dedicated data called a data type or an auxiliary codefor write-once data and rewritable data in the first four bytes of thesector information.

A sector format type described a CLV format type specified by thereproduction-dedicated disk and the write-once disk or a zone formattype specified for a rewritable disk. An area type records a data area,a read-in area, a read-out area, or a middle area of areproduction-dedicated disk. The data type is spared for thereproduction-dedicated data or the write-once data (link data) and therewritable data.

FIG. 5 shows a recording apparatus for recording data containing thecopy control information according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The present embodiment concerns with a recordable andreproducible recording medium such as a DVD. It goes without saying thatthe recording medium is not limited to an optical disk but may beapplied to any kind of recordable and reproducible medium.

In FIG. 5, a numeral 51 denotes a second data recording apparatus. Anumeral 52 denotes a first recording unit. A numeral 53 denotes afourth-switch. A numeral 55 denotes a second authenticating unit d. Anumeral 56 denotes a third authenticating unit d. A numeral 57 denotes afirst data recording apparatus. A numeral 59 denotes a secondauthenticating unit c. A numeral 60 denotes a third authenticating unitc. A numeral 62 denotes a second scrambling unit. A numeral 63 denotes athird switch. A numeral 64 denotes a WM detecting unit. A numeral 65denotes an MPEG coding unit. A numeral 66 denotes a data output. Anumeral 67 denotes a data input. The numeral 20 denotes a second databus. The numeral 21 denotes a second authenticating bus. The numeral 22denotes a third data bus. The numeral 23 denotes a third authenticatingbus.

The data input 67 such, as video data read from the disk by the firstdata reproducing apparatus such as a DVD drive and outputted on themonitor is coded according to the format for converting and recordingthe digital data by the first recording unit (52). At this time, thetype of the data such as a code for, indicating the type of therecording medium (for example, a code for indicating if the medium isreproduction-dedicated or recordable) is written according to theformat. As another type of data, for example, the code for indicating ifthe data structure is scrambled by copy control and the code forindicating copy limitation (for example, a code for indicating copypermission, one-generation copy permission or copy prohibition) iswritten as well. Next, if the data needs copy control, the scramblingbased on the recording medium and the state of copy control is carriedout. Herein, the third switch is switched on the copy controlinformation so as to select the authenticating unit.

The water mark detecting unit 64 operates to detect the copy controlinformation that is additional information added to the data inputtedinto the MPEG coding unit 65. The control is executed according to thecopy control information. For example, if the detected informationindicates copy prohibition, the output of the recording data is stopped.If it indicates no copy limitation, the coding process is executedwithout scrambling. In this embodiment, the MPEG coding unit 65 isserved to control the output of the data. The control method is notlimited to it. The method may be the stop of the output data, thebreakage of the data on the bus, and so forth.

The second authenticating unit c operates to authenticate the recordablerecording medium whose copy is limited by the copy limitationinformation. The third authenticating unit c operates to authenticatethe recordable recording medium whose copy is not limited by the copylimitation information.

Further, though not illustrated in this, embodiment, like thereproducing apparatus, the authenticating unit corresponding to theexisting CSS may be included in this embodiment. This CSS authenticatingunit may be combined with those authenticating units as anauthenticating block.

The first data recording apparatus is an MPEG board for encoding theMPEG data.

The second authenticating unit d has the corresponding relation with thesecond authenticating unit c. The authentication is done through the useof the second authenticating bus 71. If it does not have thecorresponding relation therewith, no descrambling method is passed andthe output of the data from the second data bus 70 is stopped. The thirdauthenticating unit d has the corresponding relation with the thirdauthenticating unit c. If it does not have the corresponding relationtherewith, no authentication is done and the output of the data isstopped. Herein, for simplifying the description, the authenticatingbuses for two combinations of authenticating units and the data busesfor transmitting the data from the authenticating units are described asindependent buses. One combination of a data bus and an authenticatingbus may be switched for two authenticating units.

The data transmitted from the first data recording apparatus 51 to thesecond data recording apparatus 57 is scrambled for the purpose ofpreventing the copy of the data in transmission. The data whose copy isnot limited by the copy limitation information is not scrambled becauseit does not need copy protection.

Hence, the first data recording apparatus 1 operates to transmit thescrambled data through the use of the authenticating unit. The thirdswitch 63 is served to select a proper one of the buses that pass thescrambling unit 2 according to the data and do not pass the scramblingunit so that the proper scrambling to the data may be executed.

When the authentication is done, the data is transmitted as beingscrambled. The authenticating unit is executed to select the data busthat is allowed to transmit the data according to the type of therecording medium and the scrambling structure of the data. Then, thedata is sent to the first recording unit 52 through the fourth switch53.

Herein, the second authenticating unit c 59, the third authenticatingunit c 60, the second scrambling unit 62, the third switch 63, the WMdetecting unit 64, and the MPEG coding unit 65 are incorporated on thesame LSI for the purpose of making it difficult to pick up the data onthe transmitting way. The first recording unit 52, the fourth switch 53,the second authenticating unit d 55, and the third authenticating unit d56 are incorporated on the same LSI for the purpose of making itdifficult to pick up the data on the transmitting way.

FIG. 6 shows an apparatus for reproducing data containing the copycontrol information according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment selectively uses one combination of a databus and an authenticating bus for all the authenticating units in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, though the embodiment in FIG. 1 contains thecorresponding combination of a data bus and an authenticating bus toeach of the authenticating units. In the following embodiment, the samenumerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same components.

In FIG. 6, a numeral 70 denotes a unified data bus. A numeral 71 denotesa unified authenticating bus. A numeral 72 denotes a switch forswitching the authenticating units included in the first authenticatingblock. A numeral 73 denotes a switch for switching the authenticatingunits included in the second authenticating block. This arrangementresults in making it possible to serve one data bus and oneauthenticating bus for all the authenticating units, thereby reducingthe connecting lines between the apparatuses in number.

FIG. 7 shows the arrangement in which the data reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention is applied to the DVD drive and theoutput signal of the DVD drive is connected to a recordable device suchas a harddisk. The present embodiment concerns with the recordable andreproducible recording medium such as a harddisk. It goes without sayingthat the recording medium is not limited to the recordable andreproducible recording medium such as a harddisk but may be applied toany kind of device that sends and receives data though the data bus.

In FIG. 7, a numeral 80 denotes a harddisk device. A numeral 81 denotesa first recording device. A numeral 82 denotes a system control unit. Anumeral 83 denotes a harddisk.

The signal read out of the DVD disk 24 by the pick-up unit 26 issupplied into the first data reproducing device 81 through thepreamplifier 27. The first data reproducing device 81 determines theoperating state under the control of the first system control unit 28.The process up to this point corresponds to the main operation of theDVD drive 25. The signal reproduced by the first data reproducing device1 is transmitted into the first data recording device 81. The first datarecording device 1 determines the state of the recording operation underthe control of the third system control unit 82. The data reproduced bythe first data recording device 81 is recorded onto the harddisk 83. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of theharddisk device 80.

Herein, the device that records data is required to control therecording along the copy control information. In order to make sure thatthe device has a function of properly controlling the recording, thefirst data reproducing device 1 has to authenticate the, second datarecording device 81. The data passed from the first data reproducingdevice 1 to the first data recording device 81 is scrambled intransmission if the data has to be protected. Hence, the first datareproducing device 1 and the first data recording device 81 providesmeans for scrambling data, means for descrambling data, and means forpassing a scrambling key. If the authentication is failed, the firstdata reproducing device 1 stops the data output to the second datarecording device 81. If the data output is done, the data is scrambledand no key is passed, so that the data cannot be correctly reproduced.It means that if the scrambled data is directly recorded in therecording device, the data cannot be correctly reproduced.

Further, herein, the description concerns with the transfer of the datawith the recording device. About the reproducing device and the outputdevice, likewise, the DVD drive operates to authenticate if thereproducing or the output device enables to correctly control thecopying operation for the purpose of protecting the data.

The provision of these means in transferring the data makes it possibleto correctly control copying of copyrighted data and prevent illegalcopying or reproduction.

FIG. 8 shows the arrangement in which the, data output apparatusaccording to the present invention is applied into a monitor. Thepresent embodiment concerns with the monitoring output, for example. Itgoes without saying that it is not limited to the monitor but may beapplied to any kind of device that serves to receive and send the datathrough the data bus.

In FIG. 8, a numeral 90 denotes a monitor. A numeral 91 denotes a thirddata processing device. A numeral 92 denotes a converter. A numeral 93denotes a display device.

The MPEG board 29 outputs the data onto the monitor 90. The datainputted into the monitor 90 is converted by the converter 31 and thenoutputted onto the monitor 32 on which the image is displayed. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of themonitor.

If the data is inputted into, the monitor 90 through the data bus 100,the data may be scrambled for protecting the data from being illegallyrecorded. In this case, the third data processing device 91 operates todescramble the data and then output the resulting data into theconverter 92. It means that the third data processing device 91 needsthe corresponding authenticating unit to the MPEG board 29. Theauthenticating unit may operate to authenticate that the output from theMPEG board 29 is outputted only to the display device such as themonitor 90, not to the recording device. If no recording device isconnected, the data is not illegally copied. Hence, when the data isoutputted onto the monitor 90, it is not necessary to scramble the data.

The provision of these means in passing the data results in making itpossible to correctly control the copying operation of the copyrighteddata, thereby preventing illegal copying and reproduction.

FIG. 9 shows a reproducing or recording and reproducing apparatusconfigured as a system, for example, a personal computer, having aplurality of data processing means (herein after referred to as a“device”), such as the above-explained data reproducing apparatus, datarecording and reproducing apparatus and so on. The personal computer mayeasily change the layout of those devices. Hence, the combination ofthose devices is not limited to the combination described in thisembodiment but may concern the combination of all the devices that passthe data.

In FIG. 9, a numeral 101 denotes an MPEG board. A numeral 102. denotes aMO drive. A numeral 103 denotes a digital camera.

The personal computer-is arranged to pass the data among the devicesthrough the data bus 100. The authentication is done to the devicesconnected with the data bus.

If no authentication is established, it is determined that the devicedoes not provide a function of correctly controlling the copyingoperation. The data output is stopped. At this time, if the data ispermitted to be merely reproduced. The data output is made possible onlyif no recording device is connected to the data bus and the connecteddevices have only the reproducing function.

Further, if no authentication is established, the data may be passed onthe data bus only if the data to be passed has no copy limitation.

These authentications are made possible by the circuit provided in eachdevice. Instead, in such a case as the personal computer, the softwarefor controlling each device may provide the authenticating function.Further, the authentication may be done on the operating system forsystematically controlling each device. Then, according to theauthenticated result, each device may be controlled. As described above,the authentication is executed between the devices connected with thedata bus according to the type of the data. According to the result, thetransfer of the data may be controlled. This makes it possible tocorrectly control the copying operation.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatus forreproducing data including copy controlling information according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus of FIG. 10 isan example in which the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is formed within oneapparatus as in, for example, consumer DVD players. In such apparatuses,since it is difficult to interchange the DVD drive with the MPEG boardand vice versa, no authentication is required. Also, when the DVD signalprocessing and MPEG decoding are carried out as internal processing inthe same LSI, no authentication is required since no connection tooutside is possible to do and it is also impossible to tap the signalsout of the data buses. In those cases, it is not necessary to provide aplurality of authenticating units and reproduction may be carried out byswitching among a plurality of the descrambling units.

According to the present invention, in the case of reproducing the datascrambled in respective manner to the types of the recording medium andthe copy control information, the corresponding authenticating unit toeach scrambling manner is properly switched. This makes it possible todo the descrambling operation according to the scrambling manner.Further, if no authentication is established, the data output isstopped. It is thus possible to prevent the illegally copied data frombeing recorded and reproduced.

In addition, the incorporation of these functions on the same LSI makesit difficult to pick up the data on the transmitting way.

1. An authenticating method for a recording apparatus capable ofrecording, onto a plurality of recording mediums of different types,scrambled data as is that is outputted from a data output apparatus,wherein said recording apparatus is configured to be capable of handlinga plurality of scrambling methods of different types corresponding tosaid plurality of recording mediums of different types, said pluralityof scrambling methods of different types each include an authenticatingmethod for conducting authentication between said recording apparatusand said data output apparatus, said authenticating method comprising:selecting, from said plurality of scrambling methods of different types,a predetermined scrambling method; and conducting authentication withsaid data output apparatus by an authenticating method which correspondsto said selected scrambling method, and sending/receiving informationabout the scrambling to/from said data output apparatus.
 2. Theauthenticating method according to claim 1, wherein said selecting, fromsaid plurality of scrambling methods of different types, a predeterminedscrambling method, is conducted based on said types of the recordingmedium.
 3. The authenticating method according to claim 1, wherein saidplurality of scrambling methods of different types include scramblingmethods for conducting scrambling corresponding to copy control statesof the data to be recorded onto said recording mediums.
 4. Anauthenticating method for a reproducing apparatus capable of reproducingdata that is recorded in a scrambled state in a plurality of recordingmediums of different types and outputting the reproduced data to adecoding apparatus, wherein said reproducing apparatus is configured tohandle a plurality of scrambling methods of different typescorresponding to said plurality of recording mediums of different types,said plurality of scrambling methods of different types each include anauthenticating method for conducting authentication between saidreproducing apparatus and said decoding apparatus, said authenticatingmethod comprising: selecting, from said plurality of scrambling methodsof different types, a predetermined scrambling method; and conductingauthentication with said decoding apparatus by an authenticating methodwhich corresponds to said selected scrambling method, andsending/receiving information about the scrambling to/from said decodingapparatus.
 5. The authenticating method according to claim 4, whereinsaid step of selecting, from said plurality of scrambling methods ofdifferent types, a predetermined scrambling method, is conducted basedon said types of the recording medium.
 6. The authenticating methodaccording to claim 4, wherein said plurality of scrambling methods ofdifferent types include scrambling methods for carrying out scramblingcorresponding to copy control states of the data to be recorded ontosaid recording mediums.
 7. A recording apparatus capable of recording,onto a plurality of recording mediums of different types, scrambled dataas is that is outputted from a data output apparatus, comprising:authenticating units that conduct authentication with said data outputapparatus; and a recording unit that records the scrambled data as isonto the recording mediums, wherein said recording apparatus isconfigured to be capable of handling a plurality of scrambling methodsof different types corresponding to said plurality of recording mediumsof different types, said plurality of scrambling methods of differenttypes each include an authenticating method for conductingauthentication between said recording apparatus and said data outputapparatus, said authenticating units being configured to: conductauthentication with said data output apparatus by an authenticatingmethod which corresponds to a predetermined scrambling method which isselected from among said plurality of scrambling methods of differenttypes, and send/receive information about the scrambling to/from saiddata output apparatus.
 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7,wherein said predetermined scrambling method is selected from saidplurality of scrambling methods of different types based on said typesof the recording medium.
 9. The recording apparatus according to claim7, wherein said plurality of scrambling methods of different typesinclude scrambling methods for carrying out scrambling corresponding tocopy control states of the data recorded in said recording mediums. 10.A reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing data that is recorded ina scrambled state in a plurality of recording mediums of different typesand outputting the reproduced data to a decoding apparatus, comprising:authenticating units which conduct authentication with said decodingapparatus; and a data reproducing unit which reproduces data recorded ina scrambled state in said recording mediums, wherein said reproducingapparatus is configured to handle a plurality of scrambling methods ofdifferent types corresponding to said plurality of recording mediums ofdifferent types, said plurality of scrambling methods of different typeseach include an authenticating method for conducting authenticationbetween said reproducing apparatus and said decoding apparatus, saidauthenticating units are configured to conduct authentication with saiddecoding apparatus by an authenticating method which corresponds to thepredetermined scrambling method selected from said plurality ofscrambling methods of different types, and send/receive informationabout the decoding to/from said decoding apparatus.
 11. The reproducingapparatus according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined scramblingmethod is selected from said plurality of scrambling methods ofdifferent types based on said types of the recording medium.
 12. Thereproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said plurality ofscrambling methods of different types include scrambling methods forconducting scrambling corresponding to copy control states of the datarecorded on said recording mediums.